December 20, 2019 | The New York Times

Alzheimer’s Tests Soon May Be Common. Should You Get One?

Dr. Jason Karlawish, an Alzheimer’s researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, did a formal study to gauge patients’ responses to learning that they had elevated levels of amyloid in their brain.

He did not see catastrophic reactions to the bad news. No one died by suicide.

Instead, many said they were taking steps to slow Alzheimer’s, putting their faith in healthy diets and exercise although no lifestyle measures have been shown to have an effect.

But some were not so sure getting a diagnosis had helped them. “You’ve now told me something about my future,” Dr. Karlawish recalled one patient telling him. “I can’t unlearn this.”

For some, the diagnosis has unleashed a storm of emotions.

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